Transit task force looks at cost crunch

Nov. 11, 2013

Sam Trebilcock

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Despite a growing number of city bus riders, the Sioux Area Metro transit system won’t be able to maintain its level of service without spiraling into debt.

That’s what was reported to an 18-member task force looking to fix that problem, which had its first meeting last week.

Of the transit system’s $7 million annual budget, nearly half goes to the Paratransit system, a door-to-door service for people with disabilities. That’s more than most other cities spend, according to a survey presented at Wednesday’s meeting.

Putting so much into Paratransit is keeping the regular bus system from expanding, said city transportation planner Sam Trebilcock.

“There’s certainly large numbers and parts of the community we don’t serve,” he said.

During the next six months, the task force will discuss fares and analyze operations. They’ll also look at ways to coordinate with nonprofit groups that provide some transit services, such as Project CAR, a program for seniors provided through a group of Lutheran churches.

The task force includes two city councilors and representatives from healthcare providers and organizations that serve seniors and people with disabilities, among others.